Accomplishments

Since its establishment in 1985, the Center for Italian Studies takes pride in its
efforts to focus on scholarly endeavors as well as cultural enrichment for the community.
In so doing, it has:

Created an Italian American Studies Program, unique in our nation, which meets Stony
Brook University's undergraduate diversity requirements and reaches hundreds of students
each semester;

Launched and successfully completed an endowed professorship fundraising campaign
designed to raise $1.5 million. The endowment guarantees the presence of a senior
tenured professor in Italian and Italian American Studies at Stony Brook University;

Published 30 books on major research of Italy and Italian American affairs. Some titles
include:
Interpreting the Italian Renaissance,
Dante Summa Medievalis,
ItalAfrica: Bridging Continents and Cultures,
Italian Americans on Long Island,
The Italian Jewish Experience,
The Saints in the Lives of Italian Americans,
Adjusting Sites: New Essays in Italian American Studies,
Italian Americans in a Multicultural Society,
'Merica,
The European Union: Multidisciplinary Views,
Leuco va in America (Proceedings of a Conference on Cesare Pavese);

Established a book and video lending library covering a wide spectrum of issues and
popular cinema interests of the Italian and Italian American experience;

Created an annual Italian poetry contest and essay contest on the Italian and Italian
American experience for high school students;

Instituted interdisciplinary programs with other cultural and educational institutions;

Initiated the creation of scholarship and fellowship award programs for meritorious
students majoring in Italian or Italian American studies;

Established an archive for papers and creative works by Italian Americans, including
those of the poet John Ciardi, the playwright Richard Vetere, and books and papers
of Senator Alfonse D'Amato.